Motion Math: Hungry Guppy

$2.99, iPad, iPhone

Teaches: numbers, addition, subtraction, math

CTR Rating: 88%

CTR Review

Designed to zoom in specifically on early math concepts, this fish-feeding app effectively connects your finger with the principal of additive sums, a fundamental number concept that lies at the base of many mathematical ideas. It is the idea that two sets, or representation of sets, can be combined to make one that is larger. The result is a endless series of math exercises that is both never ending, and self-correcting. The better you do, the harder the challenge. You start with a set of bubbles -- each with with a set of one to five dots, and a fish with a number. To feed the fish, you must drag and drop bubbles together, until you make a numeral that matches the fish. If you do, the fish will eat the bubble, and grow larger. This mix of dots and numbers shows children "as young as two" how math works. The concept of adding quantities might sound simple, but the way it is presented in this app is active and dynamic. The main menu offers four challenge levels, or you can touch a large PLAY icon to start at the last-played level. Besides this subtle bookmarking feature, there are no other record keeping options. Music is a little repetitive but you can turn it off. This is the fifth app from the Stanford University-inspired app studio Motion Math, and the second that deals with a hungry fish. It is an excellent addition to any iPad, especially if it is located in a preschool or Kindergarten classroom. Unlike the previous app, Hungry Fish, there are no in-app sales. You get the entire program for $2.99. We did not review the iPhone version. http://youtu.be/ZY3vxOxm1wA